Sleeved well packer assembly



April 16, 1968 T. 1.. ELLISTON SLEEVED WELL PACKER ASSEMBLY 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 11, 1966 INVENTOR THOMAS L. ELLISTON FIG.I

ATTORNEYS April 1968 I T. L. ELLISTON 3,378,077

SLEEVED WELL PAGKER ASSEMBLY Filed March 11, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet, 1

INVENTOR 45 THOMAS L. ELUSTON FIG @mzrf BY z April 16, 1968 T. L.ELLISTON SLEEVED WELL PACKER ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 11,1966 FlGrH INVE NTOR THOMAS L. ELLISTON FlGrlO April 16, 1968 T- 1..ELLISTON 3,378,077

SLEEVED WELL PACKER ASSEMBLY Filed March 11, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 e Il FIG: l5

. INVENTOR FIG M THOMAS L. ELLISTON W 5 BY United States Patent3,378,077 SLEEVE!) WELL PACKER ASSEMBLY Thomas L. Elhston, Dallas, Tex.,assignor to Gtis Engineering Corporation, Dallas, Tex., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Mar. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 533,666 20 Claims. (Cl. 166-114)This invention relates to well tools and more particularly to wellpackers.

An object of this invention is to provide a well packer for sealingbetween an inner flow conductor, such as a string of tubing, telescopedin an outer flow conductor, such as a well casing, which permitslongitudinal movement of the string of tubing relative to the casing toaccommodate changes in the length of the string of tubing due totemperature changes.

Another object is to provide a well packer having a tubular elongatemain mandrel connectable in a string of tubing to constitute a sectionthereof, a main sleeve mounted on the main mandrel and having anchoringand sealing means movable into anchoring and sealing engagement with awell casing to anchor the main sleeve to the casing and prevent fluidflow between the main sleeve and the well casing, and a seal assemblyremovably connected to the main sleeve for sealing between the mainsleeve and the mandrel, the main mandrel being movable longitudinallyrelative to the main sleeve and the seal assembly after the anchoringand sealing means have been expanded into anchoring and sealingengagement with the well casing to rigidly secure the main sleeve to thewell casing.

Still another object is to provide a well packer of the type describedwherein the seal assembly is removable from the main mandrel to permitrepair or replacement of the seal means carried thereby while the mainsleeve remains in place in the well casing.

A further object is to provide a well packer of the type describedwherein the main sleeve is provided with means for releasing theanchoring and sealing means from anchoring and sealing engagement withthe well casing to permit removal of the main sleeve from the wellcasing.

A still further object is to provide a packer wherein the main sleevecarries an anchoring means engageable with an internal obstruction ofthe well casing and a packing assembly expandable to seal between themain sleeve and the well casing upon downward movement of the mainsleeve relative to the anchoring means after the anchoring means hasengaged the well casing obstruction.

A still further object is to provide means for releasably holding themain sleeve against upward movement relative to the anchoring meanswhereby the packing assembly is held in expanded position until theholding means is released.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from the reading of the following description of a deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to theaccompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical, partly sectional view, with some parts brokenaway of the upper portions of a well packer embodying the inventionpositioned in a well casing with its anchoring means engaging aninternal obstruction of the well casing and held thereby againstdownward movement before the expansion of the packing assembly of thewell packer into sealing engagement with the well casing;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, being a continuation thereof,showing the lower portion of the packer;

FIGURES 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on lines 3-3 and 4-4,respectively, of FIGURE 1;

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FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views taken on lines 55, 66 and 7-7,respectively, of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a key carrier sleeve of the wellpacker;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower portionof the retrieving tool and the packer;

FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 are vertical, partly sectional views showing theupper, middle and lower portions, respectively, of the well packershowing the packer in anchoring and sealing engagement with the wellcasing and sealing between closing the annulus between the main mandreland the well casing; and,

FIGURES 13 and 14 are vertical, partly sectional views of the upper andlower portions, respectively, of the main sleeve of the well packerduring the removal thereof from the well casing by a retrieving tool.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1 through 8 of the drawings, thewell packer 20 includes an elongate main mandrel 21 whose upper end isconnectable to the bottom end of a string of tubing T by a latchconnector 22 which has a dependent latch portion 23 which dependsdownwardly about and is spaced from the main mandrel. The upper end ofthe main mandrel is threadedly secured, as at 25, to the latch connectorand the bottom end of the tubing is threadedly connected, as at 26 ofthe latch connector. The latch connector is initially releasably securedto the seal assembly 34} of the packer in the position illustrated inFIGURE 1, wherein the latch portion 23 of the latch connector istelescoped over the upper portion of the seal assembly by a plurality ofshear screws 31 which extend through suitable apertures in the latchportion 23 of the latch connector into threaded bores of the top section32 of the seal mandrel 33. The latch portion has a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced inwardly extending lugs 34 which initially, asillustrated in FIG- URES l and 3, are disposed in the upwardly openingvertical leg portions 36 of the external J-slots 37 of the top sealmandrel section 32.

The seal assembly includes an internal seal 40, which may be of theusual chevron type, disposed in the upper enlarged portion 41 of thebore of the top seal mandrel section, its downward movement in the topseal mandrel section being limited by the internal upwardly facingannular stop surface 42 of the top seal mandrel section and its upwardmovement therein being limited by the bottom annular end surface 43 of atubular seal retainer 44 which is threadedly connected, as at 45, to thetop seal mandrel section. The seal retainer may be provided at its upperend with a plurality of circumferentially spaced upwardly opening wrenchrecesses 46 by means of which a suitable wrench or tool may be engagedwith the seal retainer to rotate it either to compress the seal 40 or topermit its removal from the top seal mandrel section.

The bottom section 5i? of the seal mandrel has an upper end portionthreaded in the lower end portion of the top seal mandrel section, as at51, and an external annular flange 52 whose upwardly facing annularsurface 53 limits downward movement of the outer seal 54 of the sealassembly which is disposed about the bottom seal mandrel section. Upwardmovement of the outer seal on the seal mandrel is limited by the annularbottom end surface 55 of the top seal mandrel section.

The lower portion of the seal assembly 30 is telescoped in the upper endof the main sleeve 69 of the packer, downward movement of the sealassembly relative to the main sleeve being limited by the engagement ofthe external annular shoulder 61 of the top seal mandrel section withthe upwardly facing internal annular shoulder 62 of the top section 63of the main sleeve. The seal assembly is releasably secured to the mainsleeve by the spaced internal latch lugs 64 of the top sleeve sectiondisposed in the upper horizontal leg portions of the J-slots 66 of thebottom seal mandrel section. The vertical leg portions 67 of the J-slots66 open downwardly so that the seal assembly 31 may be released forupward removal from the main sleeve upon clockwise rotation, as seenfrom above, of the seal assembly relative to the main sleeve to positionwherein the vertical leg portions 67 of the .i-slots are in alignmentwith the lugs. The main sleeve includes a middle section 63 whosereduced upper end portion is telescoped in the lower end of the topsection and is secured thereto by screws 69 and a bottom section 70whose upper end is threaded, as at 71 into the bottom .end portion ofthe middle section.

A packing assembly 75 is disposed about the upper reduced portion 76 ofthe middle sleeve section above the external upwardly facing annularshoulder 77 thereof and below the upwardly and outwardly beveled orinclined annular expander surface 78 of the top main sleeve section. Thepacking assembly includes a packing 79 in the form of a high temperatureresistant sealing substance, such as asbestos impregnated with asuitable sealing compound, and top and bottom deformable antiextrusionrings 80 and 81. The rings are formed of a less flexible or deformablesubstance than the coil.

A tubular protector 82 is disposed about the packing assembly 75 andabout the upper reduced portion 83 of a lock sleeve 85. The top annularend surface 86 of the lock sleeve engages the bottom anti-extrusion ring81. Upward movement of the packing protector relative to the lockingsleeve is limited by a plurality of dogs 87 secured to the protector byscrews 88 and slidably disposed in circumferentially spaced longitudinalslots 89 of the lock sleeve when the upwardly facing shoulders 90 of thedogs engage the downwardly facing surfaces 91 of the lock sleevedefining the upper ends of the slots. The downward movement of theprotector relative to the lock sleeve is limited by the engagement ofthe bottom shoulders 92 of the dogs with the surfaces 93 of the mainsleeve defining the bottom ends of the slots.

The packing protector is also releasably secured to the middle sectionof the main sleeve by two of the screws 88 which secure the dogs to theprotector, and which extend into the bores 95 of the middle main sleevesection.

Downward movement of the lock sleeve is limited by the engagement of thedownwardly facing shoulder 97 of its top internal annular flange 98 withthe upwardly facing shoulder 99 of the middle main sleeve section.

The lock sleeve has a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinalslots or windows 101 in which are disposed movable locking keys 102. Thelocking keys have upper external bosses 103 having lower abruptdownwardly facing shoulders 104 and upper downwardly and outwardlysloping shoulders 105 and lower external bosses 106 having outwardlyconvergent upper and lower shoulders 1G7 and 108. The locking keys arebiased outwardly of the windows by bow springs 110 whose upper and lowerflat end portions 111 and 112 are disposed in the longitudinal internalrecesses 113 of the keys and which are secured at the lower end portions112 to the keys by screws 114. The middle inherently outwardly arcuateportions 115 of the locking key springs engage the external surface ofthe main sleeve. The locking keys are provided adjacent their lower endswith internal recesses 117 in which is receivable the external annularflange 118 of the main sleeve when the lock sleeve and the locking keysare in lower positions on the main sleeve illustrated in FIGURE 2. Theupper end portions 111 of the springs are slidable in the slots 113 sothat upon downward movement of the main sleeve relative to the lockingkeys, the engagement of the upwardly and outwardly bevelled or extendingshoulder 119 of the main sleeve with the arcuate portions of the springswill cam the springs inwardly into the longitudinal recesses 113 topermit the locking surface 120 4 of the middle main sleeve section tomove inwardly of and between the locking keys to lock them in theirouter expanded positions. The upper end portions of the springs slideupwardly in the longitudinal recesses as the middle arcuate portions 115thereof are moved inwardly to a flattened condition. The springs due tothe engagement of their middle portions with the locking surface 126when the main sleeve is in a lower position relative to the lock sleevecontinue to bias the keys outwardly. Outward movement of the keys islimited by the engagement of their side flanges with the longitudinalinternal surfaces 126 of the middle main sleeve section at the sides ofthe windows 101.

The lock sleeve has a bottom dependent section 128 threaded on its lowerend, as at 129, whose internal surfaces are engageable by the upwardlyinclined teeth or serrations of the wedge ring segments 130 of a holdingassembly 131 which holds the main sleeve against upward movementrelative to the lock sleeve in order to hold the packing assembly in itscompressed and expanded position illustrated in FIGURE 10. The holdingassembly 131 includes an expander sleeve 135 having a frusto-conicalupwardly and inwardly extending expander surface 136 which is engageablewith the downwardly and outwardly extending cam surfaces 138 of the ringsegments. The wedge ring segments are biased downwardly and thereforetoward expanded positions by a spring 140 Whose upper end bears againstthe annular bottom end surface 141 of the middle main sleeve section andwhose bottom end bears against the top end surfaces 142 of the wedgering segments 130.

The expander sleeve is releasably secured to the main sleeve in theupper operative position relative thereto, illustrated in FIGURES l-, 2,9, 10 and 11 of the drawings, by a latch assembly which includes aplurality of lock lugs 151 which are movable in apertures 152 of theexpander sleeve, their outer portions being receivable in the annularinternal lock recess 154 of the expander sleeve. The lock lugs haveupper and lower outwardly convergent shoulders 156 and 157 which areengageable with the inwardly convergent annular shoulders 158 and 159 ofthe expander sleeve defining the upper and lower sides of the lockrecess. The lock lugs are initially held in their operative positionsillustrated in FIGURES 2 and 12 wherein they lock the expander sleeveagainst movement relative to the main sleeve by a lock ring 160 whoseupper annular external lock surface 161 engages the internal surfaces162 of the lock lugs. The lock ring is releasably held in its loweroperative position in a downwardly opening recess 164 of the bottom mainsleeve section by shear screws 166 which extend through aligned threadedbores of the expander sleeve and the lock ring. Upward movement of thelock ring in the expander sleeve recess 164 is limited by the engagementof its top end shoulder surface with the annular downwardly facingshoulder 167 of the expander sleeve defining the top end of the recess.The lock ring has an external annular recess 168 into which the innerportions of the lock lugs are receivable when the lock ring is moved tothe uppermost position is the expander sleeve illustrated in FIG- URES 9and 14.

=Upward movement of the expander sleeve relative to the lock sleeve islimited by the engagement of its upwardly facing external shoulder 169with the bottom end surface of the lock sleeve extension 128. a

The expander sleeve at its upper end is provided with an internalannular recess in which is disposed a wiper ring 170 which closes theannular space between the top internal flange 171 of the expander sleeveand the main sleeve to prevent passage of sand and the like between thetwo sleeves which could clog such space and prevent up- Ward movement ofthe main sleeve relative to the expander sleeve.

The well packer is usable with a landing nipple 175 which is connectablebetween an adjacent pair of well casing sections 176 by means of theusual coupling collars 177. The landing nipple has an upper upwardlyopening recess 178 which provides an upwardly facing annular shoulder179 which is engageable with the downwardly facing shoulders of theupper bosses of the locking keys and with a lower internal annularrecess 180 in which are receivable the lower key bosses 106. The top andbottom annular shoulders 181 and 182 defining the upper side of therecess 180 extend divergently inwardly.

The keys are of such dimensions that the downwardly facing abruptshoulders 105 of their upper bosses 104 will be held out of engagementwith any upwardly facing shoulders or obstructions of the well casing,such as the upper ends of the well casing sections 176 at the collarrecess 184 of the well casing during downward movement of the packertherethrough, the upper bosses being of greater length than such widthsof such coupling recesses. The distances between the bottom shoulders105 of the upper bosses and the lower shoulders 108 of the lower bossesof the keys are also preferably greater than the widths of the collarrecesses so that the engagement of the lower bosses with the internalsurfaces of a well casing section below a collar recess will also tendto prevent any outward movement of the locking keys which would permitengagement of the abrupt shoulders 105 of the upper keys with any otherinternal obstruction of the well casing other than the shoulder 179 ofthe landing nipple 175.

In use, the packer is connected to the lower end of the tubing T by thelatch connector 22 and the screws 31. As the well packer is lowered intothe well casing, the locking keys are held in their inner retractedpositions by the engagement of the outer surfaces of their bosses withthe internal surfaces of the well casing. The upwardly and outwardlyextending shoulders 108 of the lower bosses of the keys upon engagingany upwardly facing obstructions of the well casing, tend to cam thekeys inwardly into their retracted positions until the packer is loweredto such position that the keys enter into the landing nipple 175 and theupper and lower bosses of the keys move into alignment with the upperand lower recesses 17% and 189, respectively, of the landing nipple.Continued further downward movement of the tubing then causes downwardmovement of the main mandrel 21, the seal mandrel, the main sleeve, andthe expander sleeve relative to the lock sleeve and to the packingassembly which is held against downward movement by the now stationarylock sleeve. The upwardly inclined teeth of the wedge segments slidealong the internal surfaces of the lock sleeve section 128 to permitthis downward movement. As the main sleeve moves downwardly, itsexpander surface 78 moves through and radially expands first the topbackup ring 80, then the packing 79 and finally the bottom backup ring81 as the upper end of the packing protector moves sequentially belowthe top backup ring, the packing and the bottom backup ring and freesthem for radial expansion. The packing assembly is then disposed aboutthe portion 190 of the top main sleeve section between the top end ofits expander surface 78 and its downwardly facing annular shoulder orsurface 191. The length of the packing decreases as it expands radially.The top end of the packing protector is then at the same level as thetop surface 86 of the lock sleeve. During this downward movement of themain sleeve relative to the lock sleeve, the lock surface 120 of themiddle main sleeve section moves downwardly relative to and between thelocking keys and locks the keys against inward movement from theirexpanded positions. The keys are now hold the lock sleeve against eitherupward or downward movement. Further downward movement of the packingprotector and the main sleeve relative to the lock sleeve is nowprevented by the engagement of the :bottom shoulders 92 of the dogs 87with the surfaces 93 of the lock sleeve defining the bottom ends of theslots 89.

A downward force then imparted to the tubing T causes shearing of thetwo screws 88 which secure the main sleeve to the lock sleeve andcontinued downward movement of the main sleeve then causes thedownwardly facing shoulder 191 of the top main sleeve section to engagethe top anti-extrusion ring 86 and compression of the packing 79 betweenthe rings 80 and 81. The packing as it is compressed is also furtherexpanded into, and held with great force in, sealing engagement with themain sleeve and the internal surfaces of the well casing. Theanti-extrusion ring 80 deforms to bridge the annular gap between the topmain sleeve section and the well casing and the bottom anti-extrusionring deforms to bridge the gap between the top packing protector and thewell casing to prevent extrusion of the somewhat softer substance of thepacking into such gaps. When the packing assembly has been compressedwith a predetermined force predetermined by the shear strength of theshear screws 31, the shear screws 31 shear and the latch protector isfree to move downwardly in the vertical portions 36 of the J-slot 37relative to the seal mandrel.

The packing assembly is now held in its compressed condition due toaction of the holding assembly which prevents upward movement of themain sleeve relative to the lock sleeve, the camming action, upon anyupward movement of the main sleeve, between the cam surfaces 136 and 138of the expander sleeve and the wedge ring segments tending to move thewedge rings outwardly and their teeth into firmer biting engagement withthe lock sleeve section 128 since their upwardly inclined teeth preventupward movement of the wedge ring segments relative to the lock sleevesection. The main mandrel, and therefore the tubing, are now free tomove longitudinally relative to the seal mandrel and the main sleeve.The tubing is then raised a considerable distance for example 20 or 30feet, to cause opposite end portions of considerable length, of the mainmandrel to extend above and below the seal mandrel and the main sleeve.As the length of the tubing increases or decreases with temperaturechanges to which the tubing is subjected, as, for example, during theinjection of steam therethrough into the well, the mandrel 21 movesslidably through the main sleeve and the seal assembly. The packer thuspermits longitudinal movement of the tubing relative thereto whileclosing the annulus between the tubing and the well casing.

The main sleeve is now held against either upward or downward movementin the well casing since its upward movement is prevented by the holdingassembly 131 and its downward movement is resisted by the packingassembly, which is now compressed, and the lock sleeve.

Should it thereafter be desired to remove the seal mandrel, as forexample when the inner seal 4-0 becomes worn due to longitudinalmovement of the mandrel therethrough, downwardly as the length of thetubing increases and upwardly as the length of the tubing decreases dueto changes in temperature, the tubing is lowered until the skirt 2-3 ofthe latch connector 22 again telescopes over the seal assembly 30 andits internal lugs 34 move downwardly into the vertical leg portions 36of the ]-slots 37. The tubing may of course have to be rotated asrequired to orient the lugs 34 with the vertical leg portions of theslots. The tubing is lowered until the lugs 34 are aligned with thehorizontal portions 195 of the J slots 37 and is then rotated in aclockwise direction as seen from above till the lugs 34 move below intothe horizontal portions of the I slots and their side shoulders 196engage the vertical shoulders 197 defining the ends of the horizontalleg portions. Further clockwise rotation of the tubing then results inclockwise rotation of the seal mandrel 33 till the vertical shoulders198 which define the sides of the vertical leg portions 67 of the Jslots 66 are engaged by the side shoulders 199 of the lugs 64 of themain sleeve. An upward movement then imparted to the tubing causes thetop shoulders of the lugs 34 to engage the downwardly facing shoulders200 of the seal mandrel 7 defining the upper ends of the horizontal legportions 195 of the J slots whereupon the seal mandrel will be movedupwardly with the tubing and out of the well.

The seal assembly after it has been repaired or its seals replaced mayagain be positioned in the main sleeve by again telescoping the skirt 23of the latch connector over the seal mandrel and rotating it to positionthe lugs 34 in the horizontal leg portions 195 of the 3 slots 37,lowering the seal assembly through the well casing until the lowerportion of the seal mandrel is again telescoped into the main sleevewith the lugs 64 of the main sleeve disposed in the lower ends of thevertical leg portions of the J slots 37. The tubing is then rotated in acounterclockwise manner to cause the sides 201 of the lugs 34 to engagethe shoulders 202 of the seal mandrel defining the sides of the verticalleg portions 36 thereof and continued rotation of the tubing then causesrotation of the seal mandrel until the vertical shoulders 2G4 definingthe ends of the horizontal leg portions 65 of the J-slots 66 engage theside shoulders 205 of the lugs 64- whereupon the seal mandrel is againlocked against upward removal from the main sleeve due to the engagementof its bottom shoulders of the lugs 64 with the horizontal shoulders 207defining the lower ends of the horizontal leg portions of its J-slots66. An upward movement of the tubing will now result in upward movementof the latch connector and the main mandrel relative to the seal mandreland the main sleeve since the lugs 34 are now in the vertical legportions 36 of the slots 37.

When it is thereafter desired to remove the packer entirely from thewell casing, the seal assembly is removed in the manner described aboveand the main mandrel 21 is replaced by a tubular retrieving tool 210provided at its lower end with resilent collet fingers 211 with externalbosses 212 at their lower ends. The bosses 212 have abrupt upwardlyfacing shoulders 214 and upwardly and outwardly inclined lower camshoulders 215. The retrieving tool is connected to the lower end of thetubing by a tubular connector or coupling 216 having a lower externalannular flange 217 whose bottom surface 218 is engageable with the topend surface 219 of the main sleeve to limit downward movement of thetubing and the retrieving tool relative to the main sleeve. Theretrieving tool is then lowered through the well casing by means of thetubing. As the lower end of the retrieving tool telescopes into the mainsleeve, the lower ends of the collet fingers are cammed resilientlyinwardly when the lower cam shoulders 215 of their bosses engageupwardly facing obstructions of the main sleeve, such as the lugs 64 andthe internal annular shoulder 221 thereof.

Prior to the engagement of the shoulder 218 of the connector 216 withthe top end shoulder 219 of the main sleeve, the bosses move immediatelybelow the annular bottom end shoulder or surface 223 of the lock ringand the fingers move resiliently outwardly to their normal positionsillustrated in FIGURE 14 wherein the top shoulders of their bosses aredisposed below the lock ring. Further downward movement of theretrieving tool is then arrested by the engagement of the shoulder 218of the connector 216 with the top end of the main sleeve. An upwardforce then imparted to the string of tubing causes an upward force to beexerted on the lock ring and the screws 166 shear since the main sleeveis now held against upward movement due to the engagement of the locklugs 151 with the top shoulder 158 of the expander sleeve and upwardmovement of the expander sleeve itself is prevented due to theengagement of the wedge ring segments 180 with the expander sleeve andthe bottom section 128 of the lock sleeve. When the shear screws 166shear, the lock ring is moved upwardly with the retrieving tool untilits upward movement is arrested due to the engagement of its top endsurface with the downwardly facing shoulder 167 of the main sleeve andits external annular recess 168 is in alignment with the inner ends ofthe locking lugs 151. The upward force then exerted on the lock ring iscommunicated to the main sleeve and to the locking lugs and the cammingengagement between the top shoulders 156 of the locking lugs with theshoulder 158 of the expander sleeve cams the locking lugs out of theexpander sleeve recess 154 and into the lock ring recess 168. The mainsleeve is now free to move upwardly with the retrieving tool relative tothe locking sleeve. As the main sleeve is moved upwardly relative to thelocking sleeve and the expander sleeve from the positions illustrated inFIGURES 9 through 12 to the positions illustrated in FIGURES 13 and 14,the portion 199 of the main sleeve moves above the packing assembly andthe locking surface 120 moves above and out of engagement with theinternal surfaces of the lock keys 102. Upward movement of the mainsleeve relative to lock sleeve continues until the upwardly facingannular shoulder 222 of the middle main sleeve section engages thebottom end surface 223 of the lock sleeve. As the lock sleeve is movedupwardly the surfaces 230 of the lock sleeve defining the lower ends ofits windows 101 engage the bottom surfaces 231 of the lock keys. Furtherupward force then exerted on the lock keys causes the lock keys to moveinwardly to their retracted positions due to the camming engagement ofthe top shoulders 107 of the lower bosses of the lock keys with theupwardly and inwardly extending upper shoulder 181 defining the upperside of the recess of the landing nipple.

Upward movement of the tubing now results in the upward movement of themain sleeve since the packing and the keys are now free to retractinwardly. The expander sleeve will be removed with the main sleeve sincethe bottom shoulder 234- of its internal flange 171 will engage theupwardly facing shoulder 235 of the bottom main sleeve section in theevent that the wedge rings do not hold it against downward movementrelative to the main sleeve. The legs will be cammed inwardly againstthe resistance of their springs each time the top shoulders 103 of theirupper bosses engage any downwardly facing obstruction of the well casingduring upward movement of the main sleeve through the well casing.

It will now be seen that a new and improved well packer has beenillustrated and described which may be set in anchored and sealingposition at a location in a well casing predetermined by the position ofthe landing nipple connected in the well casing and constituting asection thereof.

It will vfurther be seen that the packing of the well packer may beeasily set by a downward force which is easily applied through thetubing to the packing assembly after downward movement of its anchoringmeans, such as the keys 102, is arrested upon their placement in suchlanding nipple.

It will further be seen that the locking means, such as the keys 102, islocked against movement to its retracted positions before any greatdownward force is imparted thereto such as is required to compress thepacking assembly into sealing engagement with the main sleeve and thewell casing.

It will further be apparent after the compression of the packingassembly into sealing engagement with the main sleeve and thewell'casing, the inner mandrel of the packer, which is connected to thetubing and constitutes a section thereof, is movable to an upperposition relative to the main sleeve and the seal mandrel to permitmovement of the tubing relative to the main sleeve and the seal mandrel.

It will further be seen that the seal assembly which seals between themain sleeve and the main or inner mandrel of the packer is easilyremovable for repair or replacement of worn components.

It will further be seen that the main sleeve itself is easily retrievedfrom the well casing by a simple retrieving tool such as the retrievingtool 210 which is con nectable to the lower end of the tubing, or to awire line through a set of wire line tools which includes jars to permitdownward forces to be exerted on the retrieving tool to force its colletfingers to flex inwardly as the tool moves through the main sleeve.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, andchanges in the details of the construction illustrated may be made bythose skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A well packer including: a tubular main sleeve; outwardly expandableanchoring means carried by said main sleeve and having projecting stopand lock shoulders thereon engageable with complementary internalrecesses of a flow conductor receiving said projecting shoulders forholding the anchoring means against movement in the flow conductor;means limiting longitudinal movement of said main sleeve relative tosaid anchoring means; packing means carried by said main sleeve andexpandable to seal between the main sleeve and a flow conductor uponlongitudinal movement of said main sleeve relative to said anchoringmeans; an inner mandrel connectable to an inner flow conductor toconstitute a section thereof and movable through said main sleeve; aseal assembly for sealing between said main sleeve and said innermandrel; first means for releasably and reconnectably connecting saidseal assembly to said main sleeve; and second means for releasablyconnecting said inner mandrel to said seal assembly.

2. The well packer of claim 1, wherein said inner mandrel issubstantially longer than said main sleeve whereby said inner mandrelmay be positioned to extend through said seal assembly and said mainsleeve and have opposite end portions extending substantial distancesabove and below said main sleeve when said mandrel is released from saidseal assembly and moved upwardly relative thereto.

3. The packer of claim 2, and releasable holding means for preventingupward movement of said main sleeve relative to said anchormg means.

4. The well packer of claim 3, wherein said seal assembly includes aseal mandrel telescopable in said main sleeve, an inner seal carried bysaid seal mandrel for sealing between said inner mandrel and said sealmandrel, and an outer seal carried by said seal mandrel for sealingbetween said seal mandrel and said main sleeve.

5. The well packer of claim 4, wherein said first means connect saidinner mandrel to said seal assembly against longitudinal movement uponrotation of said inner mandrel in one direction relative to said sealassembly and free said inner mandrel from said seal assembly for upwardmovement relative thereto upon rotation of said inner mandrel in asecond direction opposite said one direction.

6. The well packer of claim 5, wherein said second means connect saidseal mandrel to said main sleeve upon rotation of said seal assembly insaid second direction relative to said main sleeve and free said sealassembly for upward movement from said main sleeve upon rotation of saidseal assembly in said one direction relative to said main sleeve.

7. The well packer of claim 6, wherein said holding means comprises anexpander sleeve, means releasably securing said expander sleeve to saidmain sleeve against longitudinal movement relative thereto, and wedgemeans movable by said expander sleeve into wedging relation with saidexpander sleeve and said anchoring means for preventing upward movementof said expander sleeve relative to said anchoring means.

8. The well packer of claim 7, wherein said means releasably connectingsaid expander sleeve to said main sleeve comprises movable means carriedby said main sleeve and engaging said expander sleeve, and releasablemeans holding said movable means against disengagement with saidexpander sleeve.

9. The well packer of claim 1, wherein said seal assembly includes aseal mandrel telescopable in said main sleeve, an inner seal carried bysaid seal mandrel for sealing between said inner mandrel and said sealmandrel, and an outer seal carried by said seal mandrel for sealingbetween said seal mandrel and said main sleeve.

10. The well packer of claim 9, wherein said first means connect saidinner mandrel to said seal assembly against longitudinal movement uponrotation of said inner mandrel in one direction relative to said sealassembly and free said inner mandrel from said seal assembly for upwardmovement relative thereto upon rotation of said inner mandrel in asecond direction opposite said one direction.

11. The well packer of claim 10, wherein said second means connect saidseal mandrel to said main sleeve upon rotation of said seal assembly insaid second direction relative to said main sleeve and free said sealassembly for upward movement from said main sleeve upon rotation of saidseal assembly in said one direction relative to said main sleeve.

12. A Well packer including: a tubular main sleeve; packing meansdisposed about an intermediate first portion of said main sleeve, saidmain sleeve having a second portion of increased external diameterdisposed above said intermediate portion and a downwardly facing annularsurface at the upper end of said second portion; a lock sleeve disposedabout said main sleeve below said packing assembly and releasablysecured to said mandrel; expandable means carried by said lock sleeveengageable with internal obstructions of a flow conductor to anchor saidlock sleeve against movement in a flow conductor, said lock sleeveengaging said packing means to limit downward movement of said packingmeans, said second portion of said main sleeve moving downwardlyinwardly of said packing means upon downward movement of said mainsleeve relative to said lock sleeve, said packing means being compressedlongitudinally between said downwardly facing shoulder of said mainsleeve and said lock sleeve; and releasable means co-engageable withsaid lock sleeve and said main sleeve for permitting downward movementof said main sleeve relative to said lock sleeve and preventing upwardmovement of said main sleeve relative to said lock sleeve.

13. The well packer of claim 12; and a seal assembly telescopable in theupper end portion of said main sleeve, and an inner mandrel extendablethrough said seal assembly and said main sleeve, said seal assemblysealing between said inner mandrel and said main sleeve.

14. The Well packer of claim 13, wherein said inner mandrel and saidseal assembly have coengageable means for releasably connecting saidinner mandrel to said seal assembly.

15. The well packer of claim 14, wherein said seal assembly and saidmain sleeve have coengageable means for releasably connecting said sealassembly to said main sleeve.

16. A well packer including: a tubular main sleeve, 2. seal assemblytelescopable in the upper end portion of said main sleeve; a tubularinner mandrel extending through seal assembly and said main sleeve, saidseal assembly sealing between said inner mandrel and said sleeve; firstmeans releasable upon predetermined rotational 'and then upwardlongitudinal movement of said seal assembly relative to said main sleeveconnecting said seal assembly to said main sleeve; second means forreleasably connecting said inner mandrel to said seal assembly uponpredetermined downward and then rotational movement of said innermandrel relative to said seal assembly; a lock sleeve disposed aboutsaid main sleeve; locking keys carried by said lock sleeve and biasedradially outwardly to engage internal obstructions of a flow conductorin which the packer is insertable; packing means disposed about saidmain sleeve above said lock sleeve, said lock sleeve limiting downwardmovement of said packing means, said mandrel having means engageablewith said packing means for expanding said packing means radiallyoutwardly upon downward movement of said main sleeve relative to saidlock sleeve; and releasable holding means permitting downward movementof said main sleeve relative to said lock sleeve and preventing upwardmovement of said main sleeve relative to said lock sleeve.

17. The well packer of claim 16, wherein said first means comprisesJ-slots on one of said seal assembly and said main sleeve and lugsreceivable in said J-slots on the other of said seal assembly and saidmain sleeve.

18. The well packer of claim 17, wherein said second means comprisessecond J-slots on one of said seal assembly and said inner mandrel andlugs receivable in said second J-slots on the other of said sealassembly and said mandrel.

19. The well packer of claim 20, wherein said main sleeve has a locksurface engageable with said locking keys to lock said locking keys inexpanded position upon downward movement of said main sleeve relative tosaid lock sleeve prior to the compression of said packing means betweensaid downwardly facing shoulder of said main sleeve and said locksleeve.

29. The well packer of claim '19, and a packing protector initiallydisposed about. said packing means and releasably secured to said mainsleeve, and means limiting longitudinal movement of said protectorrelative to said lock sleeve.

References Cited JAMES A. LEPPINK, Primary Examiner.

1. A WELL PACKER INCLUDING: A TUBULAR MAIN SLEEVE; OUTWARDLY EXPANDABLEANCHORING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID MAIN SLEEVE AND HAVING PROJECTING STOPAND LOCK SHOULDERS THEREON ENGAGEABLE WITH COMPLEMENTARY INTERNALRECESSES OF A FLOW CONDUCTOR RECEIVING SAID PROJECTING SHOULDERS FORHOLDING THE ANCHORING MEANS AGAINST MOVEMENT IN THE FLOW CONDUCTOR;MEANS LIMITING LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID MAIN SLEEVE RELATIVE TOSAID ANCHORING MEANS; PACKING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID MAIN SLEEVE ANDEXPANDABLE TO SEAL BETWEEN THE MAIN SLEEVE AND A FLOW CONDUCTOR UPONLONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID MAIN SLEEVE RELATIVE TO SAID ANCHORINGMEANS; AN INNER MANDREL CONNECTABLE TO AN INNER FLOW CONDUCTOR TOCONSTITUTE A SECTION THEREOF AND MOVABLE THROUGH SAID MAIN SLEEVE; ASEAL ASSEMBLY FOR SEALING BETWEEN SAID MAIN SLEEVE AND SAID INNERMANDREL; FIRST MEANS FOR RELEASABLY AND RECONNECTABLY CONNECTING SAIDSEAL ASSEMBLY TO SAID MAIN SLEEVE; AND SECOND MEANS FOR RELEASABLYCONNECTING SAID INNER MANDREL TO SAID SEAL ASSEMBLY.